 |
|
|
#1
12-12-2007, 09:20
|
|||
|
|||
|
Riding An Motorbike In Patong
Hi Folks!!
Well only 9 days left before our big trip to Thailand, and we wanted to know what we need to ride a motorcycle in Phuket. Is an Australian drivers license ok or do we need an international license? Also are they all manual or auto as well? cheers ralliart 
|
| Guest Info |
|
+:+:+ Forum Headquarter +:+:+ |
|
#2
12-12-2007, 09:46
|
||||
|
||||
|
Manual or auto, I prefer the manuals but most like the twist and go's... Oz license will pass the cops but legally its not 100%, you should have a international permit but isnt going to make any difference.. They wont be insured either.
If you want one.. PM me and can probably have one delivered to your hotel, missus just got one back from a couple of month rental.
__________________
Men have only 2 emotional states, hungry and horny.. So ladies, if you see me without an erection, make me a sandwich.
|
|
#3
12-12-2007, 10:16
|
|||
|
|||
|
It is tourist season. You WILL pass through Police Roadblocks. And if you don't have either a Thai or an International Drivers License, you will pay a fine.
Technically, you're supposed to get the Int'l license in your home country. I've heard of people getting them here (although I don't know where). Helmet use is also enforced with fines. With good reason, if you only knew how many accidents there are. Lock your helmet to the bike to prevent theft. Manual uses less gas, but they tend to bog down on the hills. Auto is more convenient. Both can be rented for 150-200/day. Expect to surrender your passport when you rent the bike. You get it back when you return it in giid condition (or after you pay the repair bill, ouch).
|
|
#4
12-12-2007, 10:36
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
|
|
#5
12-12-2007, 10:41
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Sorry but thats completely not true.. Yes the law states you should have a Thai or international.. But if you present a home country license (hopefully a photocard license) then the roadside tea money collections all wave you through. Never been fined for presenting a home country license and done it literally 100's of times. Quote:
One of the problems with the bike rent scene.. I have told the missus that any and all regular forum members (hence have some kind of previous identity) dont need to do that. Of course I may live to regret it but it is / was something I hate and refuse to do.
__________________
Men have only 2 emotional states, hungry and horny.. So ladies, if you see me without an erection, make me a sandwich.
|
|
#6
12-12-2007, 10:48
|
||||
|
||||
|
A photocopy of your passport should be sufficient, as you should have your passport, supposedly, with you here at all times.
__________________
If I havn't done it already, then i'm gunna do it today.
|
|
#8
12-12-2007, 10:48
|
||||
|
||||
|
whatever you do don't surrender your passport to a bike hirer......just move on and find another one where you don't have to if they insist....and cops will waive you on with a NSW licence....no real need to get an international one as cops can't read English so don't know what it is....travel insurance companies won't honour your policy if you ride a motopbike even with one....and there is no insurance on the bike..so you have to pay yourself for any damage
jingjai is right in that you will be fined if you do not wear a helmet and the cop can be bothered to stop you....alwys wera one around Patong or you will be waived down and fined
__________________
 ....but of course I was verey verey draaank at the taaame!!!
|
|
#10
12-12-2007, 11:04
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
On the spot fine mate. When you walk around Patong, and you see the Tourists with bandages on.....they also hired motorcycles.
__________________
 HHplc Rose Tinted Glasses 6999 Baht each....Order NOW via PM....A Must for First Time Visitors to Phuket 
|
|
#11
12-12-2007, 11:16
|
||||
|
||||
|
Yeah if you dont pay the fine.. They dont give you your keys back
__________________
Men have only 2 emotional states, hungry and horny.. So ladies, if you see me without an erection, make me a sandwich.
|
|
#13
12-12-2007, 14:26
|
||||
|
||||
|
I couldn`t be without a bike in Patong.It`s a great way to get around,but i have had a lot of experience on MB`s.But in saying that you put a lot of trust in other road users,and they are some of the worst drivers in the world.
__________________
Live Fast.........
|
|
#14
12-12-2007, 14:41
|
||||
|
||||
|
As Loop said, it's a great and easy way of getting around town. Also, fantastic day out in the sun to tour around the island.
Just be very careful of other drivers and riders and you should be ok. Don't drive like a d*ckhead even if you are used to driving bikes in other countries. You're not used to having Thai's or other nationalities driving on the wrong side of the road into you.... The below helmets are required when riding. Some look a little g*yer than others but it gives the local residents something to laugh at........ doesn't it Nigel?
|
|
#16
12-12-2007, 15:03
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Geezz Nige,i would rather let the girlie ride than wear a helmet like that. 
__________________
Live Fast.........
|
|
#18
12-12-2007, 16:03
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Land Of Scams
|
|
#19
12-12-2007, 16:42
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
That helmet offered me more protection on the roads than previous others IMO (everybody steered clear). The girl is a terrible rider and the only reason I got the twist-n-go was because she never heard of a gearbox and if I was pissed she could ride, so if I had a choice it would be the one you have to kick up and down, same as a postie bike really. If you have riding experience I think you should give it a go at least once around Patong, IMO it's a lot of fun. If I had to go any distance I would get a real bike. Have a good trip ralliart. Careful of some of the Oz scammers there though Was good to get back on my own bike this week. So now Loopy has joined the chorus of the pink helmet. Last edited by likeitalot : 12-12-2007 at 16:49.
|
|
#20
12-12-2007, 18:23
|
||||
|
||||
|
Feck Nige, you didn't borrow the helmet off Dennis did you?? he's just bought a pink motorcy with matching helmet, and then moans people stare at him, its one of the special yamaha's with all the extra lights.
Big guy - pink bike & matching helmet, 300 lights on even during the day.................Hmmm lets think ,wonder why they stare???
__________________
If I havn't done it already, then i'm gunna do it today.
|
|
#21
12-12-2007, 18:39
|
|||
|
|||
|
She picked the bike up, soon as I saw I knew that I would cop it but stood up to it.
I don't like straws when I drink though bit poofy in my book. 
|
|
#23
12-12-2007, 19:33
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
On my Patong trip in 2006 I walked everywhere or booked excursions. I came away with a two dimensional view of the place and wasted time getting around in a sweaty state. On my next trip in 2007, I hired three scooters and fully explored the island of Phuket. I could go anywhere and when I wanted. These scooters run on the smell of an oily rag. Fill the tiny tank and it'll last all week. This allowed me to fully appreciate the place and save on tour costs and tuk tuk costs. You just need to know. Wear a helmet and avoid fines 9fits under the seat when not riding). Drive carefully and if out of town only during daylight hours. Don't drink and drive. Give the hire guy a copy of your Passport only. Try to upgrade your travel insurance to include motorcycle accidents if possible. Have fun. Basically stick to these rules and you're playing the numbers game. 95% of the time you'll be OK. It's up to you. Don't hire the full motorbike though. It'll cost you more to fill the tank than you'll fbe paying for two LT nights. The clutch less gear bikes are cheaper, but there's not a lot in it and I found the fully automatic jobs just as good. NB: Not all the lids are pink. Last edited by Critical Mass : 12-12-2007 at 19:37.
|
|
#24
12-12-2007, 19:49
|
||||
|
||||
|
I have been fined, many times but not in recent years. It used to be different periods where they were allowed and others strictly following Thai law. I got both International and Thai licenses when I moved here due to that fact.
In recent years I barely have to show my drivers license at all, it used to be more frequent road blocks on top of bangla (once a week), on Sai Nam Yen/Nanai etc but havent seen that for a long time now. Quote:
|
 |